4-Term Pathway - Foundation Certificate in Science and Health - Continue to Integrated Masters - Master of Science (MSci) (Honours) - Computer Science (Placement Year)

For students who've finished high school but don’t meet the entry requirements for university, a Foundation Certificate can help them gain entry to an undergraduate degree. After completing this pathway option students qualify for progression to the 1st year of an undergraduate degree at the  University of Essex. 

A student’s course length is determined mainly by their English language level (UKVI IELTS score). Students on all course lengths take a set of common or similar modules to gain a solid base of skills for university. Students taking a course longer than 2 terms, will take additional modules designed to improve one or more of their English language level, academic skills, and basic knowledge of particular subjects.

The research covers a range of topics, from materials science and semiconductor device physics, to the theory of computation and the philosophy of computer science, with most of the research groups based around laboratories offering world-class facilities. On the four-year MSci version of this course, students develop the same key skills for computer science as on the BSc, in particular in the areas of:

In addition to these areas, students achieve a masters-level qualification and also have the opportunity to investigate more advanced topics in computer science, specialising in one of the areas of research being undertaken within the department. They are able to pursue a diverse range of topics, including:

The School is a community of scholars leading the way in technological research and development. Today’s computer scientists are creative people who are focused and committed, yet restless and experimental. It is home to many of the world’s top scientists, and their work is driven by creativity and imagination as well as technical excellence. More than two-thirds of the research rated “world-leading” or “internationally excellent” (REF 2014).

Students graduate with the creativity, imagination, and technical excellence to explore further how technology influences people’s lives.

Programming at Essex

Teaching someone to program is about opening a door. In the first year at Essex students will study a module that introduces them to programming using Python. They assess students’ ability to think in a programmatic way in the very first week of term and if additional support is required, they offer classes which will boost students’ skills and confidence with programming.